Counterintuitive maybe, but this strategy works, says Cramer

Mad Money host Jim Cramer tells viewers it's up to them to put in the time, but if they do, the rewards will be far greater than the average index fund. How to time your market moves by avoiding common mistakes.

It may seem counter-intuitive, but Jim Cramer says this strategy should serve you well.

That is, when the stock market feels horrible, resist the urge to sell.

The "Mad Money" host believes success in the market involves strategic timing and selling into weakness is anything but strategic.

That's especially true when an unexpected catalyst emerges suddenly and sends the market into a selling tizzy. "Your instincts will be telling you to panic, to run for cover" said Cramer.

However, history shows that most of the time your instincts would be dead wrong.

Looking at some of the worst developments that sent stocks tumbling in recent years, sellers ultimately regretted their decision.